Arts watch. Music review.

Los Van Van Brings Sultry Cuba To Chicago

September 26, 1999|By Achy Obejas, Tribune Staff Writer.

Dancing to Los Van Van, Cuba's most popular party band, is a lot like having hot, sweaty but meaningless sex.

Suffice it to say that at the stroke of midnight, Pedro Calvo -- Van Van's main singer -- was doing a nasty, nasty groove with a young woman who'd jumped on stage. As he swiveled and the band pumped, the gal was slowly and ecstatically grinding into his thigh before a packed House of Blues. Out on the floor, the crowd egged them on: "Van van! Van van!"

By song's end, even the suave Calvo, who has fronted the band for 30 years and has seen it all, was amazed.

"Mamita, you don't know how bad I want it," he said, laughing, "but it's just not mine to take tonight."

That, however, was unnecessary modesty. Los Van Van, a 15-member juggernaut, could have had anything -- perhaps anyone -- Thursday night. From the first jaunty notes of "Empezo La Fiesta," the group's signature opener, to the last dizzying swirl of "Disco Azucar," Los Van Van were all menace and might. And sex.

Just about every thundering song -- especially those about food -- were heavy duty metaphor. Eating malanga? Sucking on juices? Savoring meat? Oh, right.

And because the audience was primarily Latino (it seemed every Cuban in town was present), every insinuation, every double-entendre played out in the crowd with responses and shouts and body movements that defy the normal structure of the human skeleton and muscular system.

At one point, the stage was packed with women gyrating, arms in the air, bellies undulating, feet a blur. For an instant, Los Van Van transported the crowd back to Havana, to the wild expanse of the open-air La Tropical (except that at the Tropical there would have been more women, with less clothing, and they would have had to be dragged off stage).

Even Roberto Hernandez, one of the other singers, seemed to think he'd been transported. Instead of shouting out the usual names of countries to see who's in the crowd, he started listing Havana neighborhoods -- "El Cerro! Cayo Hueso!" -- and getting responses!

Good thing that the party was so hot, though -- because it was sheer brawn that made the show work. In fact, Los Van Van didn't have the clearest sound at their disposal, nor were their chops in the best shape.

Fresher if not as imposing was opening act Barbarito Torres, the Buena Vista Social Club laud player. Playing with a young eight-member ensemble, Torres focused on string-based guajiras and son. Showcasing classics such as "Que Viva Chango" as well as newer pieces like "Arroz Con Palito," the group brought its own breezy swing.